Beyond the Polls with Henry Olsen

We've got seven primaries coming through this week, and that means we're on the move! First, Martha Zoller takes Henry on a tour of Georgia's crowded Republican contests to vie for John Ossoff's Senate seat, House districts, and the Governor's mansion in Atlanta. Next, we jump up north, where Erin Covey returns to give an in-depth analysis of key races in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. 

We're adless this week, but Henry has much to say about the Republican breakthrough beyond the gerrymander trenches and the implications it may have for House control come November.

The old rhyme promises that May brings the flowers, and sure enough we're seeing early bursts of the election season bloom! This week, Jessica Taylor of the Cook Political Report guides us through three surprisingly close Republican primaries in the reliably red South. Get to know the candidates chasing open Senate seats in Alabama and Kentucky, and take a gander at Bill Cassidy's feverish fight in Louisiana to survive Trump's retribution for his 2021 vote in favor of Trump's impeachment. Expect strong weather and prepare for runoff. 

Plus, Henry looks at Tuesday's bloodbath in Indiana and Ron DeSantis's gerrymander and sees signs that Trump's bare-knuckle style might secure another title for the heel. And lastly, we glance at dueling ads between California's top Democratic gubernatorial candidates.

When the Trump administration launched its controversial mid-decade redistricting effort earlier this year, it was met not only with howls of outrage from Democrats but also with steadfast opposition from Republicans in Indiana. Now, the president and Governor Mike Braun are weighing in on the state senate primaries, endorsing challengers over the defectors. To take us through the twists and turns of this exceptional drama, Henry sits down with Brian Howey of State Affairs Pro Indiana.  

Plus, Henry dives into Florida's own GOP-friendly demography to consider whether Governor DeSantis will have better fortune in the map-making endeavor. And we examine an ad trifecta from the Democratic super PAC Priorities USA that may portend the future of targeted political messaging.

It's no secret that ordinary Americans are often puzzled by the fights animating partisans inside the Beltway. A question emerges, however: What would our representatives talk about if they thought more like the people who elected them? Today, Henry sits down with Tim Goeglein of Focus on the Family to discuss his new book, What Really Matters: Restoring a Legacy of Faith, Freedom, and Family.

Plus, Henry breaks down how the economic fallout from the war with Iran is weighing down Trump's approval and the chances for Republican congressional hopefuls. And stay tuned until the end for a closer look at two clever attack ads—one aimed at Thomas Massie and another with sights on Sherrod Brown.

In the two-and-a-half years since the October 7th attacks, political observers have witnessed a substantial change in American sentiment toward Israel. Josh Kraushaar, editor-in-chief of Jewish Insider, joins Henry to consider the unsettling development and the implications of the breakdown in bipartisan support for our beleaguered ally. 

Plus: Returned from Hungary, Henry has a few observations that might be material to President Trump as his approval rating sags. And we take a look at a pair of dueling spots from the CA-40 primary to highlight the dominant theme of 2026 Republican advertising.